Most people can walk into a casino and have a great time but for others, it's very dangerous.

Most people can walk into a casino and have a great time but for others, it's very dangerous.

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Updated: 7:34 AM MST Feb 5, 2016

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WEBVTT HOW YOU CAN SPOT AN ADDICT. NANCY: FOR MOST PEOPLE IT IS SOMETHING FUN, ENTICING, ENTERTAINING. >> I TOOK $40 ONE DAY AND I WENT TO THE CASINO AND I TURNED I INTO $1300. NANCY: BUT FOR SOME IT CAN BECOME ADDICTING, INSTRUCTIVE, STATING. -- ADDICTING, DESTRUCTIVE, DEVASTATING. >> I'M LITERALLY ABOUT TWO STEPS AWAY FROM BEING HOMELESS TODAY. SHELLY: SUSAN HAS A COLLEGE DEGREE. SHE WAS A WIFE, MOM AND CAREER WOMAN. BUT 20 YEARS AGO SHE WAS CRAVING SOMETHING SHE SAYS HER MARRIAGE WAS ROCKY. SHE WAS BORED. SO SHE WENT TO A CASINO TO KILL SOME TIME. >> WELL THAT WAS A HUGE ADRENALINE RUSH. SHELLY: OVER TIME SUSAN GOT HOOKED. SHE WENT BACK AGAIN AND AGAIN AND AGAIN. >> IT'S GONE FROM VERY INNOCENT TO PATHOLOGICAL. SHELLY: IT COST HER HER MARRIAGE, HOME SAVINGS AND RETIREMENT. SHE BEGAN PAWNING THINGS AND TAKING OUT LOANS UNTIL SHE WAS FLAT BROKE. >> I JUST THOUGHT THIS HAS GOT TO STOP. SHELLY: SUSAN IS GETTING COUNSELING BUT EVERY DAY IS A CHALLENGE. HER RELATIONSHIP WITH HER FAMILY NOW INCREDIBLY STRAINED. >> WHEN WE GET A CALL FROM A PERSON WHO WANTS HELP THEY'RE , REALLY IN DESPERATE NEED. THEIR FINANCES ARE SHOT. THEIR FAMILIES ARE SHOT. THEIR JOB IS GONE. IT'S SAD. SHELLY: THERAPISTS WHO TREAT GAMBLING ADDICTS TELL US THERE ARE SIGNS. THE ADDICT OFTEN LIVES IN A FANTASY WORLD TELLING PEOPLE WHAT THEY PLAN ON DOING WHEN THEY WIN THAT JACKPOT. PHYSICALLY, THEY MIGHT HAVE A LOT OF ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION. SOME HAVE OTHER ADDICTIONS TO THINGS LIKE ALCOHOL AND SEX. >> GAMBLERS ARE KIND OF IN MAJOR DENIAL EVERYBODY ELSE THINKS I HAVE A PROBLEM. SHELLY: SOME ADDICTS DISAPPEARING FOR DAYS. THERE IS ISOLATION. THEY PULL AWAY FROM FAMILY, FRIENDS AND SOCIAL EVENTS. >> I GOT INTO THE GAME WAY TOO MUCH AND STOPPED DOING THE THINGS THAT I LOVED LIKE WATCHING SPORTS WITH MY SON, JUST SO I COULD GO TO THE CASINO. SHELLY: GRIEF IS OFTEN A TRIGGER. >> FOR THEM THEY'VE STEPPED INTO THE EYE OF A TORNADO WHICH IS A LOT BETTER THAN A TORNADO AND THEY TAKE AN EMOTIONAL BREAK, IF YOU WILL, FROM THEIR TERRIBL FEELINGS OF GRIE NANCY: AND IT IS NOT JUST CASINOS OR RACE TRACKS THAT DRAW THEM IN BUT THERE ARE OTHER SIGNS TOO. ADDICTS OFTEN CHECK THEIR PHONES AND COMPUTERS BECAUSE THEY'RE GAMBLING ONLINE. PEOPLE WHO GET HOOKED ON GAMBLING SAY THERE IS A SENSE OF SHAME AND ALIENATION. >> I APOLOGIZE TO PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO AND TO MY FAMILY AND TO MY FRIENDS. NANCY: SUSAN SAYS SHE' WATCHED FORMER SECRETARY OF STATE DIANNA DURAN'S COURT HEARING. >> I CRIED. I FELT FOR HER. NANCY: SUSAN TELLS US SHE'S STILL STRUGGLING BUT BELIEVES EVENTUALLY SHE WILL RECOVER. SHE SAYS IF SHE DOESN'T KEEP REACHING FOR HELP SHE'LL RISK EVEN MORE. AGAIN LIKE ANY ADDICTION THERE ARE SIGNS YOU CAN LOOK FOR. ADDICTS DISAPPEAR FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME. THEY OFTEN HAVE OTHER ADDICTIONS. AND ALONG WITH THEIR FINANCIAL PROBLEMS THEY HAVE ANXIETY AND

Gambler: I'm 2 steps away from being homeless

Most people can walk into a casino and have a great time but for others, it's very dangerous.